Tipping in Italy is modest by international standards and is never obligatory. Italian restaurants commonly include a cover charge (coperto) of €1–3 per person and sometimes a service charge (servizio), so always check your bill carefully before adding anything extra. A genuine smile and sincere thanks are as valued as a monetary tip.
Before tipping in an Italian restaurant, check the bill for 'coperto' (cover charge) and 'servizio' (service charge). If both are included, no tip is needed. If no service charge is present, leaving 5–10% for a sit-down meal is appreciated. In coffee bars and cafés, it is customary to leave a small coin (€0.10–0.50) on the counter when ordering — this is a local habit more than a formal tip.
Hotel tipping in Italy is uncommon but always welcomed. €1–2 per bag for a porter is appropriate. For housekeeping, €1–2 per night is a kind gesture for multi-night stays. In upscale hotels, a concierge who secures hard-to-get reservations or arranges a private experience might receive €5–15.
Italian taxi drivers do not expect large tips. Rounding up the metered fare to the nearest euro is the common practice. For airport transfers or journeys with heavy luggage, adding €1–2 is a friendly gesture. Always confirm that the meter is running at the start of the journey to avoid surprise fares.
If service is not included, leaving 5–10% or rounding up to a convenient amount is standard. In bars and cafés, leaving a coin or two on the counter is the local norm.
For a €50 restaurant bill with no service charge, a €3–5 tip is polite. For a €20 taxi fare, rounding to €22 is typical.
Always check for 'servizio incluso' or 'coperto' on the bill before tipping extra.